Invigorated Mayor Williams Returns from Conference

An "invigorated" Huntington Mayor Steve Williams has returned from Boston, Mass. with many "think tank" suggestions for reviving and rehabilitating Huntington and its infrastructure. Williams and the mayors of Toledo, Ohio, Syracuse, N.Y., Gary, Ind., and Dayton, Ohio discussed the future of cities that rallied on so-called Post War War II Uncle Sugar infrastructure construction projects which now need repair and updating.

Huntington benefited in the post industrialization era from partnerships with Marshall University, its Community College (now Mount West), public schools and the medical community. "They helped us survive over the years," Williams told the council work session. We would not be in the position we are today without them."

The conference had representatives from 40 so-called "think tanks." One of their suggestions is to "identify (individual) gifts (i.e. talented people) to work with making each community's unique qualities world class.

Williams will be utilizing some of the ideas discussed for future city development and planning, he told council.

During the session, the Mayor gave Public Works Director David Hagley a proclamation for his work during the current Public Works Week. Employees will be honored at a 11 a.m. luncheon Friday, May 23 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

In addition, the Mayor emphasized that the newly acquired Marine One vessel for the Huntington Fire Department "reminds us how important the river is" to the community. Williams stated that Charleston does not have one and a vessel of this type would have been helpful in January 2014 when the MPLH and other chemicals spilled into the Elk River contaminating drinking water. He added it would have been useful when the spill passed Huntington in January.

"We can safely go in and access damage. That was something that could not be done in Charleston," Williams explained.

He referred to the Marine One vessel as the councilman David Ball "Let's Get it Done" project.

HNN, including professional model/cosplayer, Elsa Littlepage, participated through research and pictorials on the need for such an upgraded boat.